Listen Local: Murfreesboro acts to please your ears

Feb. 26, 2014

You don't always have to go 30 miles to find good music. / Photo by Cat Murphy.

Written by

John Connor Coulston

Assistant A&E Editor

With Nashville a short drive away, Murfreesboro is often overlooked when searching for bands on the rise. However, thanks in part to the university’s renowned RIM and music department programs, the ‘Boro’s reputation for producing up-and-coming artists eager to stake their claim in the music scene continues to grow.

Here’s a look at a few head-turning bands either based in Murfreesboro or who got their start here. The interviews conducted are voicing the band collectively.

Glossary

This five-piece band of MTSU alumni has been churning out projects since forming in 1997. They’ve released seven albums of southern indie rock together with no plans of stopping

Sounds like: “[We’re] influenced by every type of American music — soul, country, classic rock, indie rock, R&B. Our sound is a reflection of that, so it's tough for us to identify with a very specific genre. We're just rock and roll.”

Inspiration: “I'm sure in the beginning it was as simple as being inspired by specific bands we loved and wanting to create music that made other people feel the same way. Murfreesboro was an inspiration, in our early years as a band — being in a small town, needing to feel something bigger than our surroundings. I think the experience of being in the band in general has inspired us, too, the feeling that we have things to say and music to make and that we do that best together.”

On performing: “The connection we feel to our audience is the best part. We have been fortunate to meet amazing people over the years that we've toured; fans who have become our friends. Playing a great show with your band mates and knowing the audience is experiencing it with you is amazing.”

Current Focus: “We'll be recording our eighth album later this year. Our next tour stop is the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, in March.”

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In a year: “[We’ll be] touring in support of that new record. We toured Europe for the first time last year, and, hopefully, we'll be back there when our record is out.”

Where to listen: Bandcamp and glossary.us

Groove Cirquet

As their name implies, Groove Cirquet is a four-man band — three of whom are students in MTSU’s RIM program — full of grooves and funky sounds. After a standout set at Music in the Middle, this group’s ambitions are set on recording an album and spreading their jams across the country. The group’s name is pronounced “circuit.”

Sounds like: “We would describe our sound as a mash up between the soul-funking jams of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the aggressiveness of the Foo Fighters' in-your-face attitude with a touch of our own groove that we find to be unique in its own way.”

Inspiration: “Inspiration comes to us from experiencing moments together, partying with our friends and having an all around good time. We try not to take life too seriously.”

On performing: “Our favorite part of performing live is the ability to be 100 percent ourselves onstage. People can see through the bullsh– these days. We are all pretty goofy guys, and we let that show when we are up there.”

Current focus: “We are currently gearing up for several studio sessions at MTSU over the next month with a couple of their graduate producers/engineers. After that we plan on taking our music to Nashville and the surrounding areas for more people to hear.”

In a year: “We will be on tour around the states. Living in the van no matter how sweaty and smelly it gets, it's all in the experience.”

Where to listen: Facebook and ReverbNation

Island Wren

Often seen in the Quad during the warmer months, Island Wren is a five-piece folk group featuring four senior audio production majors. With a new Kickstarter-funded EP on the way, 2014 looks like a promising year for this local bluegrass outfit.

Sounds like: “[We’re] a group of friends that derive their unique sound from combining different styles of music, catchy melodies and engaging vocal harmonies. Rooted in the folk and bluegrass styles of Appalachian music … Island Wren is a one of a kind listening experience.”

Inspiration: “Our music is created by daily reflections. We write what we need to hear and believe other people need to hear it, too. We are inspired by the people around us and want our music to show the steps and struggles of living for one another rather than ourselves.”

On performing: “Our favorite part of performing is when we play unplugged on campus and get to meet new people through our music.”

Current focus: “Our current focus is our debut EP release, Fountain, which releases March 4, and the EP release show at Bonhoeffer’s here in town on Thursday, Feb. 27. A large portion of it was funded with the help of many MTSU friends through a Kickstarter campaign.”

In a year: “We hope to see Island Wren playing more shows in Nashville and expanding throughout the southeast region with the help of our new record.”

Where to listen: Noisetrade

Minona

While this alt-rock band consists of only two members, they take their cues from acts like the Smashing Pumpkins and Cage the Elephant instead of The White Stripes and The Black Keys.

Members: Dylan Wilson: vocals, guitarGreg Dowling: drums

Background: “Our drummer, Greg Dowling, is a RIM major at MTSU. He's a freshman.”

Sounds like: “Our sound has a lot of punk and blues influences, but we consider ourselves alternative rock.”

Inspiration: “Just the good and bad impacts we've had in our lives, and the passion it creates in our hearts.”

On performing: “Our favorite part of performing is the energy it gives us, the reaction of the crowd, and it gives us a chance to express ourselves and have other people express themselves with us.”

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Current focus: “Our main focuses right now are writing new [songs], recording them and eventually start touring, hopefully, by the summer. We've been playing venues across Murfreesboro, and now we're heading into Nashville.”

In a year: “We hope to have our full album successfully released on a relatively well-known label … and touring the country. Maybe play at some festivals like Music in the Middle, Wakarusa [and] Bonnaroo.”

Where to listen: ReverbNation

Mogli the Iceburg

Hip-hop is generally underrepresented in Murfreesboro, but this junior marketing major, Jacob Horenburg, is one of the few MCs working to expand the scene.

Sounds like: “I would definitely describe my sound as alternative hip-hop; there is a hip-hop root that I always incorporate in some way, but I put a lot of electronic ambience and indie rock into my production as well.”

Inspiration: “Everything in my life inspires me to make music, and the listener sees that reflected in my lyrics whether it’s my relationships, struggles, conversations with friends or my faith.”

Current focus: “I am currently working on finishing up a new album, DREVMCVTCHR, which is proving to be my most ambitious project in every area. The album is very content heavy, with the theme being the difference of perspective of what I always dreamed of/aspired to, and the reality of how I now feel when so many of my dreams are within arm’s reach … The album is mostly finished, but we are working very hard on the business front to make this album as successful as it deserves to be, and aren't hoping to release it until August 2014.

In a year: “Hopefully a year from now, I will have the foundation paved for touring this album after my graduation in May 2015. I can get right to my dream career.”